New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-03-08
TIE UHITTREDGE PAINTINGS.

seventy-fye oil painting. by Mr.. Worthington
Whittredge. y. A., exhibition at Ortges's Art
Galleries Broadway, and will be sold at auction on
Wednesday evening. The pictures are for the most
part landscapes. Mr. Whittredge Is keen and true
student OF Nature. He depends little upon magma
ton Hs pictures scenic reproductions. and their
chief merit In the fidelity with which quiet
effects caught and in the artists entire loyalty
the natural HE fayorite worG Ia sylvan scenery,
broad views from heights and sca-shOre bits and
the latter predominant largely In his list Tie IL
never tired painting homey pastoras with glimpse
81 blue In the background and he has Zone loving
ly round the shores Rhode leland in quest of such
subjects Ills opcn-alr Studies have resulted in
satisfactory effects in atmosphere and foliage and
water. HE not smulgc left 10 tie magna-
ton but trees, cOnsccntiousy elaborated distinct
In family, bearing each ITS own proper insignia. He
has paid close attention to the changes of light in
woodland scenery, and of the protost and most
faithful OF his oanyases those which depict
morning or twilight effects in tho woods by the side
Of some murmuung brook. The sea. however always
travis him most strongly. There are no less than
thirteen pictures IN this collection which are taken
from the shore aud IN all OF them there is deuth OF
feeling Tor marine effects which shows the power OF
the attraction and is reflected in tine brcezness OF the
whitecapped blue water. the freedom OF movement
among the distant vessels, AMI tue conscientious
working out OF the soa-haze whoh on all bst tho
brightest days throws vel OF Illusion over the
marine horizon.
Mr. Whuredge Is always quiet aud unconditional
As true lover OF Nature he oes the sober grays and
browns rs much the brilliant tones which flourish
in broadest sunlight. As instance OF this, and OF
success in treatment no. 40 a Gray Day at Now
port may be cited. Nothing can be more subdued
and sober but the picture is tull OF rcstlul charm
cool fresh and pleasant to- oOl A Brook Among
tho Hills" Is In another manner Jet not less satisfy
ing The study of running water, OF sylvan shade and
summer cloud il careful aDd sklul, and the compo-
sition will bear close analysis. Afternoon In the
Valley OF the Delaware" no. 81 s another peaceful
aud refreshing work, pcrvadcd by sense OF beauty
which gives lie and grace the Whoe. Several OF
tho antumnal studies. such rs October on The
Kiyerp no. II, Autumn by tho Sea" no 81,
Autumn at shokan, Catsklls" no. lO), Autumn
on the Stream - NO. 36l and I" The Border OF tho
Brook in Autumn, present generally satisfying Illus
trations Of autumnal foliage. Bat though such clever
copies OF decay In vegetation possess undOubted value
the general taste probably prefers paintings in which
Nat ire is in the flush ana ygor OF iull summer
and when the tenderesL effects produced by the
filtration OF bright sunshine through tho semi
transparent verdure of thick foliage Such tempered
and chastened light, falling in shafts and hecks upon
rnossy rock, rugged tree trunk or CHANGING water,
produces the most lovely and wholesome effect, and
In, Artistic sense may well be with the infinite
variety which this class of landscape work offers Mr.
Whttrodge has done some excellent painting in the
kind here referred anu its excellence Ia only less
In the thorough working out of the details than in the
ensemble. In the production of effects OF distance,
too, he has done well several times, instance Nos
ia 81 80, g. and 73. The first OF these, Field and
Plain, New Jersey" IL remarkable production, and
so is q, Tho Valley oil tho Hudson from the
CatskillB' Inc management Oh the atmosphere IN ali
these pictures is happy in unusual degree, the
sense OF space being conveyed with freedom and
breadth often missing in tar more ambitious work.
Among the most pleasing and repcseiul OF Mr.
Wmttredgcs landscapes may be mentioned Aftor-
noon IN the Woods 80. IA !" The Mountain Brook
no. 35J The Old Stage Road Delaware River
mo. 42J; June IN Lebanon Valley" no. G3l a
Sill Day" no. 81 Tho Pasture by tho LAKE mo.
i:iJ; "'lrout brook IN Catskills !" no 15l; "The
Path through tho Woods evening" NO 52l;
"Twi, ht IN the Woods " $50. 81 On the Dcla
ware, Afternoon" (No. 74l and The Old Road to
the Sea no. 75l. In all tho artists work there must
be recognized technical skill aud manual facility
thorough cOnscicniousness, sane and sound
npprecaton of Nature, and judgment In tho choice
OF subjects which ought to win the hearty thanks of
collectors
Tho gallery about to be sold IL ia n record of loving
dutlul and intelligent work DONE whether purposey or
NOT in yindcaton OF the sufcency OF American natnr
phenomena to the American artist. SO many of our
painters have apparently forgotten there il onything
on this side the Atlantic deserving OF their brushes
perhaps so satisfactory se.es OF proofs what
can be- done with home material may DO worth the
giving. Certainly Mr.. Whttredses twenty years'
work does credit to national art and his catalogue
contains 80 little that is not distinctly good that his
PAINTINGS should bring high prlces.